Energy Task Force

Purpose

This limited-term task force, Energy Resource Scarcity/Peak Oil (Energy Task Force) examined
the energy vulnerabilities of local economic, social and environmental
infrastructures and recommended appropriate changes to ensure that those
infrastructures are resilient in the face of shifting energy markets.

Charge to the Task Force

The Energy Task Force, a limited-duration, self-managed work group,
expected to complete the following work:

Used current, credible data and information to examine the issues of peak
oil and natural gas production and the related economic and societal
consequences;

Sought community and business input on the impacts of changes to energy
resource availability, rising energy prices and proposed adaptations;

Developed recommendations to the City and County Councils on strategies
these governments can take to mitigate the impacts of declining energy
supplies in areas, including, but not limited to: transportation, business
and home energy use, agriculture and food security, health care and social
services, land use planning, water and wastewater treatment, and local
energy development. These recommendations and proposed outcomes included
suggestions as to appropriate implementing bodies (governmental and
non-governmental), market-based and regulatory programs/incentives, as well
as possible funding sources.

Proposed methods of educating residents and businesses about this issue
in order to optimize the use of and therefore reduce our dependence on
fossil fuels, electricity and other energy sources subject to resource
scarcity.

Delivered the report of recommendations to the Mayor, Executive and the
City and County Councils.

Membership

The Energy Taskforce included 18 members selected jointly by
the Mayor of Bellingham and the Whatcom County Executive, representing a
broad range of government, community and business interests. Members
had a general knowledge of energy scarcity issues as well as
a more specific understanding of issues in at least one of the following
areas: land use and transportation, food and agriculture, public and social
services (including public education, health, social services, utilities and
public safety), economic transition (including retail, manufacturing,
service, tourism), energy and water, and community education and
preparation.